James Holmes asks to change plea in Aurora theater shooting case

CENTENNIAL, CO-March 12, 2013: Prosecutor Karen Pearson, dressed in red suit, and the prosecution team at their table during the proceedings where District Court Judge William Sylvester entered a Not Guilty plea on behalf of Holmes. The trial is set to begin August 5, 2013. The arraignment for Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes for the July 20, 2012 shooting at the Century 16 theater in Aurora, CO that killed 12 people and injured 70 others. (Photo By RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

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CENTENNIAL — At least one mental-health professional who recently examined James Holmes has made a diagnosis that supports an insanity plea for the Aurora movie theater shooting suspect, a lawyer for Holmes said in court Monday.

In making a formal request to change Holmes’ plea, attorney Dan King referenced just-concluded mental-health evaluations of Holmes that mean the defense can now “in good faith tender that Mr. Holmes was not guilty by reason of insanity.”

“We now have a diagnosis,” King said. “We now have an opinion by qualified professionals.”